May Newswaves

Table of Contents

National Fishing and Boating Week

Join RBFF in celebrating National Fishing and Boating Week (NFBW) June 1-8, 2014. Throughout the week of June 1-8, we will be encouraging consumers to visit their local parks and other fishing holes and to take part in NFBW events.

Help us spread the word about National Fishing and Boating Week and encourage your customers to take advantage of these NFBW activities:

Free Fishing Days: Perfect for those who are new to the sport or who want to mentor others, many states offer free fishing days that allow the public to fish without having to purchase a fishing license during NFBW.

Special Events: Sites all over the country will host events, such as fishing derbies, regattas, boating demonstrations, festivals and more.

Kids’ Activities: TakeMeFishing.org’s Little Lunkers section offers games and information to learn before getting out on the water, and even certificates to commemorate their catch.

Conservation through Participation:Buying a fishing license and registering a boat helps fund efforts to conserve our natural waterways through projects such as fisheries research, habitat improvement, fish stocking, aquatic education and fishing and boating access facilities such as docks and boat ramps.

Mentoring: Pass on the joys of boating and fishing by asking someone to join you!

Just Announced: America's Top 100 Family Fishing and Boating Spots

After a nationwide search for the best family-friendly fishing and boating locations, RBFF has released its final list of America’s Top 100 Family Fishing and Boating Spots. RBFF asked members of its online community to vote for their favorite parks to go boating and fishing, and that they did; nearly 200,000 votes were cast in total!

The parks on the list represent the best family-friendly fishing and boating areas, all within a reasonable drive from many major cities. Many of the parks offer multiple species to catch, areas for picnics and restrooms. Of course, each location must have ample opportunity to cast a line, whether that be from the shore or from a boat.

In all, 26 states have at least one park in the Top 100. California took top honors with the number one spot, Napa Valley’s Lake Berryessa (Pleasure Cove Resort and Marina), and came in tied with Texas in having eight parks in the Top 100. Following close behind were Florida, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania with six parks each. From here, RBFF plans to coordinate outreach to national and local news outlets to bring more attention to these great resources and get even more anglers and boaters out on the water.

While it is no surprise that states like California, Texas and Florida came in with strong showings, some noteworthy results came from far less-populous states. And the cities that produced the most votes include the usual suspects such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, however Nebraska impressed with both Omaha and Lincoln making the list. The votes cast from these and other cities and towns were enough for Nebraska to lock in three spots in the Top 100. Much of this can be attributed to the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission’s efforts in spreading the word about the sweepstakes. The Nebraska Game & Parks Commission utilized their social media outlets as well as ad space on their Outdoors Nebraska webpage to refer their constituents to our sweepstakes page. As a result, Outdoors Nebraska was the third-highest referrer behind TakeMeFishing.org and Sweepstakes Today, and helped bring attention to the great fishing and boating resources in Nebraska.

A full list of the Top 100 Family Fishing and Boating Spots can be found in the Community section of TakeMeFishing.org. There is also a sharable infographic available for stakeholders that includes details around the Top 100 Family Fishing and Boating Spots. A template press release has been created for states to utilize in their outreach efforts. Please email David Rodgers ( drodgers@rbff.org) for details.

RBFF Releases First-Time Anglers Study

RBFF recently published results from its First-Time Angler Survey, studying the preferences and motivations of first-time fishing license buyers. With 4.5 million newcomers purchasing fishing licenses in 2012, it is more important than ever to understand these anglers and determine ways to retain them.

This survey analysis was the third and final stage of RBFF’s first-time angler research, following up to previous fishing license data analysis and focus group work. The findings will help RBFF shape future state marketing programs to increase fishing license sales.

KEY FINDINGS

More than 90% of first-time license buyers had fished as a child.

Top reasons first-time license buyers went fishing was to spend some time with family and friends, to relax and unwind, and to spend some time in the great outdoors.

Three out of four, or 78%, of first-time fishing license buyers reported that their first fishing trip either met or exceeded their expectations.

If a first-time license buyer goes fishing more than once in their first year, their likelihood to renew more than doubles.

Over half of first-time license buyers who did not renew indicate they are still interested in fishing.

Social characteristics of fishing attracted many of the first-time license buyers, having been invited by family and friends or being asked by a child to take them fishing.

The findings highlight the importance of engaging with these new anglers to remind them of fishing opportunities and local information to encourage them to go fishing again. It is important to keep fishing top of mind as an activity choice in their busy lives. And, online license systems present an opportunity to collect email addresses as a cost-effective means for following up and communicating with anglers.

“These first-time fishing license buyers are key targets for retention-based marketing efforts as they have shown interest in the sport and are open to the possibility of trying the sport again,” said Stephanie Hussey, Director of State Initiatives at RBFF.

RBFF plans to use the information gained from this research to guide its upcoming pilot angler retention program. The pilot program will include email communications with multiple touch points, such as a thank you message after the initial license purchase, ongoing communications with local fishing and boating information, conservation messaging and how-to information, and a reminder to renew the fishing license. RBFF is currently finalizing pilot states to launch the pilot effort this year.